Head Coach Wants Usain Bolt on Jamaica National Team

After Jamaica failed to qualify for this year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup, is it possible that they will call upon the world’s fastest man to bring them back to the stage for the first time in 20 years?

Jamaica National Team head coach Wilfried Schaefer told several Jamaican newspapers that he is considering including Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt in the squad. That is if he was serious when he made that comment.

“I want him on the national team,” Schaefer told the press. “Maybe after the Olympics in Brazil [in 2016], I want to see him in our team.”

Two days ago Bolt responded to the comment on Instagram, posting a picture of the front page of a newspaper with the caption “#anythingpossible”.

There’s no denying that Bolt is passionate about football and went on to post a video online of him playing a pickup game in an attempt to get former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s attention. However, let’s be honest. Chances are Bolt’s attempt to play football will result in embarrassment rather than success. If he ever gets called up, it’s probably to sell tickets more than improve the team’s chances of qualifying for the tournament in 2018.

Judging by the two minutes of that video, football fans only hope he was joking about asking for a tryout with Manchester United. Despite being the fastest man in the world, he looked off-balance, wasn’t too fast with the ball at his feet, and had stone-like touch. As a center forward, Bolt could make the most explosive runs off the ball and get in position before defenders catch up to him, but it’s doubtful whether he has the stamina to burst into position in a full 90 minute game. His height and speed could be of service at the center back position, but understanding discipline and positioning will take a while for the aging prospect. Perhaps he does have a shot at playing for Jamaica…in a celebrity game.

Despite his poor football skills, Bolt seems like he has a better shot playing basketball for the NBA.